“Sometimes He tests our loyalty in hard
service and sharp temptations, so that through our faithfulness and bravery He
may triumph over Satan.
The Roman general
Pompey boasted that a nod of his head would send his soldiers scrambling up the
steepest rock on their hands and knees, though they were knocked down as fast
as they advanced. This is the kind of loyalty God wants from us. And while He
is never reckless with the blood of His servants, sometimes He tests our
loyalty in hard service and sharp temptations, so that through our faithfulness
and bravery He may triumph over Satan.
Perhaps you recall
the time Satan impudently accused God of "bribing" Job, charging that
this choice servant really only served himself in serving God: "Does Job
fear God for nothing?" Job 1:0. He dared God to take away His blessing,
insisting that Job would curse God to His face rather than submit to suffering.
So God let the devil have his way-- and what was the result? Because Job
remained steadfast in adversity, we find the Lord boasting to Satan,
"Still he holds fast his integrity, although you move against him" Job2:3.
In essence, God said, "You see, I have some who will serve Me without a
bribe, who will hold fast to their commitment when they can hold on to nothing
else. You took Job's estate, his servants, and his children, and still he
stands his ground. You have neither captured his will nor his integrity!"
To allow a
well-armed fortress to fall into enemy hands would be a disgrace to the
defending soldiers. Spiritually speaking, such a defeat is even more
dishonorable, because God in Christ gives His soldiers all the power they need
to resist the devil at every turn.
We should not be
surprised when an unregenerate soul yields easily to a temptation that promises
carnal pleasure or profit. Those without Christ have no armor with which to
repel the enemy's attack; they know nothing of His sweetness. So it is natural
that they-- for want of better food-- would sit at the devil's table.”
Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete
Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell.
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